Kinship Care is designed to help support a child who needs to live outside of his
or her own home, either temporarily
or for the long term, by placing the child with a relative (such as an adult brother
or sister, a first cousin, a nephew
or niece, an uncle or aunt or a grandparent, among others).

Kinship Care supports the concept of children residing with a relative to relieve
family stress or temporary problems,
rather than being placed in a foster home or other type of out-of-home placement.
For children who do come to the attention
of the child welfare system, Kinship Care creates another placement option for a
child who may not be able to continue
living at home with his or her parents. It should not, however, be used when a foster
care placement is in the best interests
of the child.

A kinship care coordinator is available to answer any questions you may have about
becoming a kinship caregiver and will work
with you throughout the process of becoming a kinship caregiver and having a child
placed in your home.

If you are interested in obtaining information about receiving Kinship Care for
the child in your care, contact the Kinship Care Coordinator at 715-421-8600.